Some farewells at the dinner last night, and some well-deserved recognition. Graham Buckley’s raffle tickets for the dot-painted helmet sold out thanks to some fantastic work by McKinnon High.

The RACV announced the much-coveted winning school for the entire ride; the school that was judged to be the best organised, well-behaved, and generally fabulous. It is a hard call, because all the schools really do a magnificent job; all credit to the kids, and their hugely dedicated teachers and parents who guide them through the ride.

The winning school was Clifton Hill Primary; for such young riders they were an extraordinary bunch. The future is in good hands! Also highly credited and given the honour of equal runners-up were Frankston High and Rutherglen High; great effort, guys.

Campers woke to a very cool morning, and despite a clear-sky forecast, it was overcast, a little windy, and definitely chilly.

Leg-weary riders packed up for the last time, and many took the opportunity to add some fancy, often festive, touches to themselves and their bikes. The ride was reported to be pretty good going, the wind causing a bit of angst in a few places, but the chill and cloud cover lifted, and appropriately the sun was shining brightly as the Great Vic swarm descended on Castlemaine.

There are a lot of mixed emotions on the last day, but it was hard for even the most leg-weary not to get a sense of euphoria as they rode through the cheering crowd and under the finishing banner, to be greeted by admiring well-wishers.

There were many hugs, a lot of tears, much high-fiving, a sense that those who had ridden the 585km had been part of something very special, and their lives would never be quite the same again.

We have uploaded photos from the finish in Castlemaine here. Take a look; there are some wonderful scenes of joy and elation. We’ve also uploaded photos of riders leaving Maryborough here.

Thank you to all the riders for helping to make this a wonderful experience for so many; not just for your fellow riders, but for the people in the townships we passed through, to the fabulous volunteer team, and for the staff at Bicycle Victoria Network. We hope to see you again next year; it is a fabulous route. For details, see here.

And one last note. My daughter was on Facebook last night and she came across this posting from one of her friends, Jack Lawrence, who rode with Warrandyte High School. It sums up the feelings of many:

“You know what, the bike ride is like a family; you get so close to people you already know but you see another side of them that you don’t see every day at school, and that’s one of the things I love about the bike ride. And you know what? I’m missing my bike ride family already; the bike ride is over and we have been away from each other for only a few hours, and I miss all you guys . The Great Vic brings us together, and I will miss that most of all. Till next next year; 2012, watch out, here we come!”

It had attracted dozens of “Likes”.

During the nightly dinner update, Graham Buckley (pictured above) was given the microphone. He explained that for each of the last ten years, he had brought four indigenous boys on the Great Vic ride from the area around Alice Springs. He supplies the bikes, tents, and other equipment, but he has to privately raise the remaining $1,400 per boy to fund their trip. He holds various fundraising events during the year, and on each Great Vic he raffles a hand dot-painted helmet by an Alice Spring artist. Each helmet is a unique, one-off piece of art, and they are truly beautiful (see our photo, above). He has 500 tickets selling at $2 each. McKinnon High School volunteered to help sell the tickets on behalf of Graham, as the four boys he has with him are too shy to.

There are a number of indigenous kids on the ride, in couple of different groups, but they do appear very shy, and seem to keep themselves to themselves.

Which makes what happened after dinner one of the more heart-warming moments of the ride. A small mixed group of school kids, including most of the indigenous boys, all of a sudden struck up an impromptu game of dodgeball, with a Vortex whistling ball, playing on the grass at the side of the camp ground.

The numbers at each end soon started swelling as kids from different schools joined in. A few spectators began watching, and their numbers quickly multiplied. Soon there were dozens of players at each end, and hundreds of people watching, and loudly roaring their approval at each successful throw, and catch.

What was so particularly stirring was the way the different kids from such varied backgrounds, so willingly and naturally mixed together, high-fiving each other, cheering each other on, enjoying each other’s company, arms around each other’s shoulders, all completely uncontrived and without artifice. It was a truly magic 45 minutes (security eventually broke it up, becoming worried as the light failed that someone might get hurt). Parents of children on the ride, you should be very proud of them; they are a wonderful bunch.

In the evening Wedderburn supplied more treats, with music in the park and another sensational fireworks display. The local footy and netball clubs were generous hosts, and couldn’t have been more accommodating.

A clear sky meant another very cold early morning wake-up call today, and with an 80km ride ahead, many were keen to get on the road. Destination Maryborough through some of Victoria’s historic goldfield areas. The temperature reached 26C, and there was a fair headwind to cope with again, as well as a slightly more up and down terrain.

The campsite in Maryborough is on Princes Park sports ground, surrounding Lake Victoria. Very picturesque. It’s the last night, so we expect some fun celebrations ahead of the arrival in Castlemaine tomorrow.

For those of you who haven’t experienced the arrival before, you are in for a treat. It is extremely emotional, as tired but elated riders celebrate their momentous achievement. If you can, try and add to the atmosphere by enthusiastically cheering them home!

Boort – what a place; the consensus is, it rules! The atmosphere in the town is so friendly and the Bortians (Bortanians, Bortans?) really know how to put on a show.

Fireworks exploded into the starry sky last night, smoke curling and hanging in the air like a question mark. What would be in store for day seven? Where the heck is Wedderburn? Will I ever be able to sit down again after today’s slog?

The vibe today was brilliant, and very chilled out. Riders seemed relieved and relaxed after the big, bad 111km yesterday. As a new employee at Bicycle Network Victoria, I have been working at the sales tent, but today I set off with the giant pack of crazy and fantastic riders, to roll along the 47km journey to Wedderburn.

It has been a beautiful sunny day, sublime blue skies, with a slight head wind. I spent the first few k’s rolling along on my slightly dubious mountain bike, and was reminded of that excellent feeling of being out on the road, sharing an experience with a few thousand others on the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride. Riders on the Great Vic share a great energy, enthusiasm, slight loopiness, and a great sense of companionship. A couple of times, when my chain started rattling, I pulled over, and straight away a rider would follow me, and help me out. The people are definitely what make this event so unique and special.

Also on the ride today was Vincent Ciardulli, our Events Manager. This is his fifteenth Great Vic, and his last as an employee with us. He marked the occasion by taking on today’s route on an RACV Melbourne Bike Share bike. He later reported that he enjoyed the friendly banter and well-wishes out on the road, and was surprised at how well the bike handled (his rear is a bit tender, however).

At one point I was riding next to a man who had been on every Great Victorian Bike Ride so far, and this was to be his last ride. He started off while a teacher, 28 years ago. I asked him if much has changed since the first ride, and he replied the atmosphere is still much the same but the food is better!

 I was lucky enough to ride most of the first leg with Matt Bailey, from Parkwood School, who is the fourth-best remote control aeroplane pilot in Victoria; and he is only fifteen!

 The country towns in this part of Victoria have a great feel to them. I strolled in to Borung for our first rest stop with the Ennio Morricone tune from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly playing in my head, imagining my clanky mountain bike to be a horse.

The people of Borung were great and again, very welcoming. The kids seemed to be running the show and entertained us all with their burnouts on strange three-wheeled bikes. I enjoyed a sausage (only $1!) while sitting back and watching the local Borung divas singing some tunes.

On the way to lunch, I rode with THE Diane Ross, from Wodonga. She was enjoying the easy ride but added some uncomplimentary comments about the headwind. Diane is riding with a group of friends, one of whom always goes missing. So Craig, if you’re out there, get involved!

 As I rode in to our lunch stop, an old man with an amazing, character-filled face, smiled and welcomed me to Korong Valley. Some stopped by at the pub for a couple of tinnies, while others played on the bowling greens or just lazed around on the sports field chewing on killer pythons we were given for lunch (score!). Tom Morton from Marist College in Queensland was enjoying the vibe, describing day seven as a “good chillout day”.

 I sat on the bench of the footy oval with Bruce Hicks, who has volunteered as a marshal in past years but this year is riding for fun. Bruce had a special time in Boort, where he bumped in to a comrade he had not seen since Vietnam, who was running an exhibition of photographs of his years in the war.

On the last leg of the trip I enjoyed the gentle, golden, undulating hills into Wedderburn.It has been a great day. I want to ride again tomorrow!

Some messages from riders I met along the way.

 ”I am awesome” – Cody

“Hi Mum and Dad!” – Rhiana, from Swift School

 Isabel Stoneham says “Hi Mum”.

“Miss O’Halloran, Miss Hendy, Mr Caroll, Susan O’Keith; Thanks for your support and encouragement – you are the best. Love from the Gen Girls (Genazzano)

“Boort was the best destination so far. They closed the roads and did everything and were so welcoming” – Grace Knox

It was a clear night, which led to very low temperatures; close to 3C as dawn approached. But the bleary-eyed riders were met with a beautiful, clear blue sky, and perfect temperatures (maximum of 20C) for the long but very flat 111km ride ahead.

Spirits were high throughout the day, with a great camaraderie having now been built among the riders. They reported a cross-wind for most of the day, but the breeze helped them keep cool. The maximum temperature reached about 20C, but with a cooling breeze, they seemed to cope well with the distance.

And their day’s riding ended in a wonderfully warm reception in the really beautiful little town of Boort; friendly ambassadors cheering the riders home and offering all sorts of helpful information, the main street closed with lots of stalls set up, an arts display in the local hall, tours to nearby places of interest, stalls within the camp ground itself, and the camping area, on the local playing fields, is, like the rest of the town, green, lush and perfectly maintained.

It looks like its going to be a fun evening, with the town centre a very short walk from camp, and with many tempting things to see and do (including a fireworks display at 9.30pm).

With the hardest days now behind the riders, a (relatively) short 47km ride to Wedderburn tomorrow, and warm sunshine and little wind predicted, any wonder there’s such a really great atmosphere this afternoon.

As it is a rest day, riders took the opportunity of having a ‘sleep in’ (ie, getting up at 7am instead of 5.30am). Some tired facces in need of a break, but they got a the chance to spend hours relaxing, wondering around town, taking it easy and recharging their batteries ahead of the second half of the ride. You’d been amazed how suntanned and fit everyone is looking!

Big announcement last night was the route for next year’s ride; starting at Lakes Entrance, and running through Gippsland, it finishes with a loop of Phillip Island; a fantastic 2012 event. See our website for more details.

Echuca-Moama is a great place for a rest day; plenty to do, and the towns are beautiful. The campsite was very dusty, but the rain has settled that down. Unfortunately, we have an unwelcome co-guest, however; the three-headed jack, and he’s lying in wait all over the ground. As mean as the name sounds, Jack is like a tack with three heads, he lodges deep into the soles of your shoes in great numbers, and has been the culprit in a number of punctures. Still, we’re learning to live with him.

And thanks for your messages of support to your loved ones; you would be inspired and very proud to see the fantastic, and in many cases courageous, efforts put in by the riders!

It was another scorcher of a day at 37 degrees, riding from ‘the happiest place on the Murray’ at Barham to bustling Echuca. Riders travelled back into Victoria, along the river and into town. The first rest stop in Cohuna besides the Gunbower River and Gunbower Lake led into a beautiful stretch of road alongside Gunbower Creek and natural wetlands. 

The campsite at Echuca is situated right on the banks of the Murray, in amongst the gumtrees. The bridge across the river leads directly into the bustling township, where bakeries, pubs, cafes and the local pool awaits. With a rest day tomorrow, riders will no doubt enjoy a sleep-in and then explore the town before hitting the road again on Thursday.

There has been a few cases of dehydration and heatstroke, but the medical team has been looking after everyone and there have been no severe issues reported. Riders are hot but happy, with a great sense of achievement after riding 100kms.

We can already feel the cool change coming, and rain is expected to fall shortly. It will be a welcome reprieve from the heat and dust!

There are a few big activities on tonight. Bicycle Network staff are throwing a party for the 400+ volunteers on the ride and there will be a special announcement of the 2012 Great Vic route.

The rain stayed away for another stinking hot day in northern Victoria. Most riders left early to miss the midday sun, riding a flat 63km from Kerang, north into Murrabit into NSW and along the Murray into Barham for the night.

A hot, dry day meant a great ride and several hundred bike riders plunging in the Murray river upon arriving at Barham. The town has pulled out all the stops for the riders, with a special market on the riverbank and bike-themed shop windows. The Royal Hotel in Barham has never been so busy on a Monday afternoon as riders washed away the road dust and caught up on the day’s news.

Route marshalls and volunteers have been ensuring that riders are adequately hydrated and fed as heatstroke could have been an issue. Thankfully, there have been no emergencies and the riders are enjoying the sunshine. Tomorrow is another scorcher at a predicted 36 degrees, so no doubt the river at Echuca will be full of Great Vic riders in the afternoon.

Click to view slideshow.

 The sun is well and truly out for day two of the RACV Great Vic! The first riders awoke to the sounds of tents unzipping before enjoying a big breakfast and preparing for the day ahead. Most riders left the soggy Swan Hill site by 7am, riding 80km along flat, open rural plains on their way south to Kerang.

The sun is roaring hot overhead, at a cloudless 30 degrees. Many riders – particularly the hundreds of school kids taking part in the event - are making the most of the hot weather and taking a dip in the Murray or in the Kerang local pool.

At dinner last night, the Victorian Police commended the riders on their excellent riding behaviour and safety on the roads. Besides the extreme weather yesterday, the riders are having a ball. There are lots of big smiles and happy faces around camp this afternoon!

We heard one story from the ride this morning where one gentlemen had a mechanical issue with his bike just 12km out onto the route. He was picked up by another rider on a tandem bike that (curiously!) had an empty seat. They rode the remaining 72km together.

Many of the riders enjoying pre-ride camping on Friday night got to witness a sound and light show during a 2am thunderstorm, but were up and ready to go this morning. The ride followed the Murray River north before diverting through orchards in the Mallee; a picturesque beginning for the 590km route. The first night had an air of anticipation and familiarity, as new and old friends caught up on the year gone by. The clouds parted at about 5pm and sunshine began shining through. Looking forward to an 82km ride tomorrow!

If you’re on the RACV Great Vic or are keeping updated on the ride from home, let us know how you are going in the comments below.

We will be posting regular updates from the ride, beginning from tomorrow evening. If you are on the ride or are a keen observer from home, leave your comments about the Great Vic below.

Enjoy your week in another world!